As our school year comes to a close, staff members may move to other schools, retire, or go on leave. Giving your colleague a special book is a meaningful way to say “thank you” and “you’ve made a difference.” Here are my top 10 books to give as going away gifts to teachers. (thanks amber romero for this great top ten tuesday idea!)
You are reading: Retirement books for teachers
- a letter to my teacher by deborah hopkinson
a touching picture book about a girl who would rather run and jump than listen and learn, and the teacher who gently inspires her. written as a thank you note with gorgeous illustrations. this one is inspiring and may require a tissue.
2, thank you – a book for teachers – sandy gingras
This is a delightful little memory book that features soft and sweet watercolor illustrations and thoughtful original text that celebrates teachers and all of them. keep in mind that this book is very small, like something that would fit in a purse, very sweet, but tiny.
3. last day depression – julie danneburg
a very sweet story that follows a group of students on their last day of school. the kids are so worried that her teacher won’t have anything to do for the summer (haha!), so they give her a really cute gift to help her remember them. I love the surprise at the end! (similar to the nervousness of the first day)
4. Mrs. spitzer’s garden – edith pattou
a metaphor to teach – tend a garden – plant, nurture, grow. The simple, heartwarming story and whimsical illustrations celebrate all that teachers do, year after year, to help children grow and flourish. a great gift for the teacher.
See Also: Why Self-Help Books Don’t Work (And How To Nevertheless Benefit From Them)
5. because I had a teacher – kobi yamada
“Because I had a teacher, I have whole new worlds to explore. I discovered that what I can imagine, I can make reality. And now I feel like I can do anything. Because I had you, I learned to believe in myself.”
This moving book is a thank you gift to great teachers around the world. adorable illustrations.
6. teachers are great! – todd parr
You can never go wrong with Todd Parr! summary: the teachers are amazing! they help you find new talent, learn new things, and see you succeed. a wonderful ode to the masters.
7. the new york book of teacher cartoons – edited by robert mankoff
For those teachers for whom a picture book might not be the best option, here’s a fun collection of cartoons that capture the fun, terror, excitement, anxiety, chaos, and joy teachers experience every day. the days. hilarious!
8. f in exams: the best totally wrong answers – richard beasoa
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This book is hilarious! filled with seemingly real-life wrong answers to various quiz questions. perfect for anyone who has ever taught high school or middle school who will make lots of “connections” with these creative wrong answers to test questions.
9. what teachers earn – in praise of the best job in the world – taylor mali
at a dinner, a dinner guest, who happened to be a lawyer, asked teacher taylor mali what teachers earn. Tired of being asked this question, he wrote a poem that she later performed in a poetry contest. the poem attracted so much attention that he turned it into a book. sincere and full of inspiration, this is a perfect gift for all teachers. I did not know this book, but I was inspired by the recitation of the poem by taylor mali on youtube.
10. Thank my Lord. falkner – polish patricia
No list of inspirational books for teachers would be complete without this one. a beautiful and moving story of a girl struggling to learn to read and the amazing teacher who “opened the door and pushed her into the light”. i definitely needed kleenex for this one, i cried every time i read it. this special book is for that special teacher who just finds a way.
teachers: there is no such thing as hot coffee and other teaching truths -boring teachers
This book is not out yet (July), but I’m listing it as “someone to watch.” I enjoy following boring teachers on facebook so I’m looking forward to this one because I’m sure it will be a lot of fun. here is the summary:
Is it Friday yet? Get ready to go behind the desk with this inside look at a year in the life of an everyday educator. Written by teachers for teachers, this hilarious snapshot into the lives of overworked, underpaid people will have you laughing so hard you’ll worry it will be confiscated. full of managerial frustration, wacky humor; and sincere love for the most underrated profession of all, teachers is the perfect gift for that special someone who spends all day with her children.
what are your favorite gift books for teachers?
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